System, method and apparatus for ramped retainer for a pipe

ABSTRACT

A pipe system has a pipe with an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe near an axial end of the pipe. The pipe system also has a tubular body with an interior and one end sized to receive the axial end of the pipe therein to form a pipe assembly. The pipe system also has a retainer configured to be received in the retainer groove and to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of the pipe assembly and to retain the pipe and the tubular body in the pipe assembly.

This application is a continuation of, and claims the priority benefitof, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/893,129, now U.S. Pat. No.10,746,335, filed on Feb. 9, 2018 and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR RAMPED RETAINER FOR A PIPE”, and which claims the prioritybenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/459,040, filedFeb. 14, 2017. The entirety of each of these prior filed applications ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates in general to pipes and, in particular, toa system, method and apparatus for a ramped retainer for pipeassemblies.

Description of the Prior Art

Conventional spline-type, restrained pipe joint systems typically havesplines that are separate from the pipes. The splines can be lost duringtransportation or disassembly. Examples of such designs include U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,662,360, 7,284,310, and 7,537,248. There are no “push tolock” type pipe joints that rely on a spline that automatically“expands” to open, and then snaps into place. Some users would prefer aquicker installation of restrained joint pipe that does not require“reversibility” (i.e., the ability to take the joint apart afterassembly), and yet still provide a robust pipe joint system. Thus,improvements in pipe restrained joints continue to be of interest.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a system, method, assembly and apparatus for a rampedspline are disclosed. For example, a pipe assembly can include a pipebody having an axis and a spline groove formed in an exterior of thepipe body. A spline can be mounted in the spline groove. In someversions, an entirety of the spline can be configured to be both axiallymovable and radially movable relative to the spline groove duringformation of a pipe assembly with a tubular body.

In an alternate embodiment, a pipe system can include a pipe having anaxis, an exterior, and a pipe spline groove formed in the exterior. Aspline can be mounted in the pipe spline groove. In some versions, anentirety of the spline is configured to be both axially movable andradially movable relative to the pipe spline groove during formation ofa pipe assembly. A tubular body having an interior can be configured toreceive the pipe. The tubular body can include a tubular body splinegroove configured to receive at least a portion of the spline when thepipe assembly is formed. The tubular body can comprise another pipe or acoupling.

Embodiments of a method of forming a pipe assembly can include:providing a pipe with an axis, an exterior, and a pipe spline grooveformed in the exterior; mounting a spline in the pipe spline groove;inserting the pipe into an interior of a tubular body until the pipespline groove axially aligns with a tubular body spline groove in thetubular body, such that at least a portion of the spline extends intothe tubular body spline groove; and then axially removing at least aportion of the pipe from the tubular body such that an entirety of thespline moves both axially and radially relative to the pipe splinegroove.

Still other embodiments can include a pipe system having a pipe with anaxis, an exterior and a pipe spline groove formed in the exterior. Aspline can be mounted in the pipe spline groove. The spline can includea base and a tail extending from a radial outer surface of the base. Thepipe system includes a tubular body having an interior and a tubularbody spline groove formed in the interior. The tubular body can beconfigured to form a pipe assembly with the pipe. The tail of the splinecan be configured to radially extend from the base prior to the pipecontacting the tubular body. The tail of the spline can be configured toradially collapse toward the base after the pipe contacts the tubularbody but prior to the tail reaching the tubular body spline groove. Inaddition, the tail of the spline can be configured to again radiallyextend from the base when the tail axially aligns with the tubular bodyspline groove. The tail of the spline also can be configured to againradially collapse toward the base when tension is applied between thepipe and the tubular body.

An embodiment of a pipe can include a pipe body having an axis, a splinegroove formed in an exterior of the pipe body, and the spline groove isconfigured to receive a spline. The spline groove can consist of: amajor radial surface that is not parallel to the axis, and a radialshoulder on each axial end of the major radial surface that isconfigured to impede axial motion of the spline when contact is madebetween the spline and one of the radial shoulders.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of these embodiments willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appendedclaims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theembodiments are attained and can be understood in more detail, a moreparticular description can be had by reference to the embodimentsthereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. However, thedrawings illustrate only some embodiments and therefore are not to beconsidered limiting in scope as there can be other equally effectiveembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view of an embodiment of a spline.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the spline of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a spline on a pipe.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of an initial stage of assembly for anembodiment of a pipe assembly.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of an intermediate stage of assembly forthe pipe assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of a final stage of assembly for thepipe assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional side view of an outer portion of anembodiment of a pipe having a spline groove.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a system, method, assembly and apparatus for a rampedretainer for a pipe are disclosed. For example, a retainer, such as aspline 21, can comprise a split ring having an axis 15. Spline 21 caninclude a base 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a tail 35 extending from a radialouter surface 37 of the base 33. In one version, the radial outersurface 37 can be parallel to axis 15. The tail 35 of the spline 21 canbe configured to extend radially from the base 33. The tail 35 also canbe configured collapse radially (relative to axis 15) toward radialouter surface 37 of the base 33 during assembly, as will be describedherein.

Versions of spline 21 can include a radial inner surface 38 opposite theradial outer surface 37. In some examples, the radial inner surface 38can be tapered, such that it is not parallel to axis 15 and radial outersurface 37. In one version, an entirety of the radial inner surface 38of the spline 21 is tapered at a single (i.e., only one) slope. Theslope can be defined as the radial change in dimension divided by theaxial change in dimension. In one example, the radial inner surface 38is the only radially inner surface of the spline 21 and extends for anentire axial length 39 of the spline 21.

FIG. 3 discloses an outer portion of one embodiment of a pipe 13 havinga pipe spline groove 19. Pipe 13 can be coaxial with the axis 15 whenspline 21 is mounted to pipe 13. Pipe 13 comprises an exterior 17 andthe pipe spline groove 19 is formed in and circumscribes the exterior17. This geometry can be formed adjacent one or both axial ends of pipe13.

Versions of the pipe spline groove 19 can include a plurality of radialdepths relative to the axis 15. In an example, the pipe spline groove 19can include a major surface or bottom 20 having a deepest radial depth23 located farthest from the axial end, and a shallowest radial depth 25located axially between the axial end and the deepest radial depth 23.The deepest radial depth 23 is greater than the shallowest radial depth25. In one version, at least a portion of the bottom 20 is tapered. Inanother version, an entirety of the bottom 20 is tapered. In stillanother version, the entirely of the bottom 20 is tapered at a single(i.e., only one) slope. In addition, the pipe spline groove 19 caninclude shoulders 27, 29 facing axially toward each other on oppositesides of bottom 20. Shoulders 27, 29 can extend in a radial direction(relative to axis 15), and the shoulders 27, 29 can be parallel to eachother and perpendicular to axis 15. Thus, each shoulder 27, 29 can becharacterized as a radial shoulder that faces in an axial direction.

FIGS. 4-7 depict a sequence of assembly steps for an embodiment of apipe system 11. Pipe system 11 can include the pipe 13 and spline 21mounted in the pipe spline groove 19, such as to form a pipesub-assembly comprising the pipe 13 and spline 21. A tubular member orbody 51, such as another pipe or a coupling, can include an interior 53configured to receive the pipe 13. The tubular body 51 can include atubular body spline groove 55 configured to receive at least a portionof the spline 21. In one version, the pipe spline groove 19 can includean axial length 57 that is greater than the axial length 59 of thetubular member spline groove 55. In an embodiment, an entirety of thespline 21 can be configured to be both axially movable and radiallymovable (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to axis 15) relative to thepipe spline groove 19 during formation of the pipe assembly.

In some embodiments, the tail 35 of the spline 21 can be configured toradially extend (FIG. 4) from the base 33 prior to the pipe 13contacting the tubular body 51. This is an expanded configuration forthe spline 21, having an expanded diameter relative to the axis 15 priorto formation of the pipe assembly. In some versions, the tail 35 of thespline 21 can be configured to radially collapse (FIG. 5) toward thebase 33 after the pipe 21 contacts the tubular body 51, but prior to thetail 35 reaching the tubular body spline groove 55. This is a collapsedconfiguration having a collapsed diameter relative to the axis 15 priorto formation of the pipe assembly. Pipe 13 also can have a seal groove18 for a seal, such as an o-ring.

In operation (FIG. 5), the spline 21 can have an initial, outercollapsed radius (R₁), relative to axis 15, that is greater than orequal to a bore radius (R_(B)) of tubular body 51. In addition, thespline 21 can include an initial, inner radius (R₂) that is less than orequal to the bore radius (R_(B)). In a subsequent step of operation(FIG. 6), the spline 21 can have an outer, expanded radius (R₃) that isgreater than or equal to the bore radius (R_(B)). At this stage thespline 21 also can have an inner radius (R₄) that is less than or equalto the bore radius (R_(B)). During a final stage of assembly (FIG. 7),the spline 21 can include a final, outer collapsed radius (R₅) that isgreater than or equal to the bore radius (R_(B)), and the spline 21 canhave an inner radius (R₆) that is less than or equal to the bore radius(R_(B)).

As shown in FIG. 6, the tail 35 of the spline 21 can be configured toagain radially extend from the base 33 when the tail 35 axially alignswith the tubular body spline groove 55. This is another expandedconfiguration, which can comprise the expanded diameter relative to theaxis 15 during formation of the pipe assembly. The expanded diameter ofthe spline 21 is greater than the collapsed diameter of the spline 21.In addition, the tail 35 of the spline 21 can be configured to againradially collapse (FIG. 7) toward the base 33 when tension is appliedbetween the pipe 13 and the tubular body 51. This is another collapsedconfiguration, which can comprise the collapsed diameter after formationof the pipe assembly.

As previously noted, the radial inner surface 38 of the spline 21 is notnecessarily parallel to the axis 15. In some versions, the radial innersurface 38 of the spline 21 is not parallel to the axis 15 before (FIG.4), during (FIGS. 5 and 6) and after (FIG. 7) the pipe assembly isformed by the pipe 13, spline 21 and tubular member 51. Again, theradial inner surface 38 of the spline 21 can be the only radial innersurface of the spline 21. The entire axial length 39 of the only radialinner surface 38 of the spline 21 can be co-planar with a bottom surface20 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the pipe spline groove 19 before (FIG. 4), during(FIGS. 5 and 6) and after (FIG. 7) the pipe assembly is formed by thepipe 13, spline 21 and tubular body 51. In some examples, tension can beapplied to the pipe assembly, such that the spline 21 engages in thespline groove 19 at the shallowest radial depth 25. In another example,the spline 21 is configured to radially expand when it axially alignswith a spline groove 55 in the tubular member 51. The spline 21 can moveaxially and radially into a shallower portion or the shallowest radialdepth 25 of the spline groove 19 when the pipe assembly is put intension.

Examples of the spline 21 can have a spline axial length 39 (FIG. 2)that is less than the spline groove axial length 57 (FIG. 5). In someembodiments, the spline axial length 39 is less than the spline grooveaxial length 57 by at least about 25%, such as at least about 50%, atleast about 75%, or even at least about 100%. In other embodiments, thespline axial length 39 is less than the spline groove axial length 57 bynot greater than about 250%, such as not greater than about 225%, notgreater than about 200%, not greater than about 175%, or even notgreater than about 150%. Other examples can include a range between anyof these values.

In other versions, the spline groove axial length 57 can exceed theaxial length 39 of the spline 21 by at least about 50%, such as at leastabout 75%, or even at least about 100%. The spline groove axial length57 can exceed the axial length 39 of the spline 21 by not greater thanabout 500%, such as not greater than about 400%, or even not greaterthan about 300%. Other examples can include a range between any of thesevalues.

Embodiments of a method of forming a pipe assembly also are disclosed.For example, the method can include providing a pipe 13 with an axis 15,an exterior 17, and a pipe spline groove 19 formed in the exterior 17.The method can include mounting a spline 21 (FIG. 4) in the pipe splinegroove 19, and inserting the pipe 13 (FIG. 5) into an interior 53 of atubular body 51 until the pipe spline groove 19 axially aligns (FIG. 6)with a tubular body spline groove 55 in the tubular body 51, such thatat least a portion of the spline 21 extends into the tubular body splinegroove 55. As shown in FIG. 6, an axial end 31 can abut a stop 61 intubular member 51 to indicate full insertion of pipe 13 therein. Inaddition, the method can include axially removing (FIG. 7) at least aportion of the pipe 13 from the tubular body 51 such that an entirety ofthe spline 21 moves both axially and radially relative to the pipespline groove 19.

Other embodiments of a method of forming a pipe assembly can includeproviding a pipe 13 having an axis 15, an exterior 17 and a pipe splinegroove 19 formed in the exterior 17. A spline 21 can be mounted in thepipe spline groove 19. The spline 21 can include a base 33 and a tail 35extending from a radial outer surface 37 of the base 33. The tail 35 ofthe spline 21 can radially extend from the base 33 prior to the pipe 13contacting (FIG. 4) a tubular body 51. The method can include insertingthe pipe 13 into the tubular body 51. The tubular body 51 can have aninterior 53 and a tubular body spline groove 55 formed in the interior53, such that the tail 35 of the spline 21 radially collapses toward thebase 33 prior to the tail 35 reaching the tubular body spline groove 55.The method can further include axially aligning the pipe spline groove19 (FIG. 6) with the tubular body spline groove 55, such that the tail35 of the spline 21 again radially extends from the base 33. Inaddition, the method can include applying axial tension between the pipe13 and the tubular body 51 such that the tail 35 of the spline 21 againradially collapses toward the base 33.

Another embodiment of a method can include providing a pipe 13 having anaxis 15 and a spline groove 19 formed in an exterior 17 of the pipe 13;mounting a spline 21 in the spline groove 19, the spline 21 having aradial inner surface 38 that is not parallel to the axis 15, the radialinner surface 38 of the spline 21 can be the only radial inner surfaceof the spline 21; and inserting the pipe 13 into a tubular member 51such than an entire axial length 39 of the radial inner surface 38 ofthe spline 21 is co-planar with a bottom 20 of the spline groove 19 ofthe pipe 13 before, during and after the pipe 13 is assembled to thetubular member 51.

Embodiments of a pipe system also are disclosed. The pipe system canhave a pipe 13 with an axis 15 and a spline groove 19 formed in anexterior 17 of the pipe 13. A spline 21 can be configured to be mountedin the spline groove 19. The spline can include a radial inner surface38 that is not parallel to the axis 15. The radial inner surface 38 ofthe spline 21 can be the only radial inner surface of the spline 21. Inaddition, an entire axial length 39 (FIG. 2) of the radial inner surface38 of the spline 21 can be configured to be co-planar with the bottom 20of the spline groove 19 before, during and after the pipe 13 isassembled to a tubular member 51.

Another embodiment of a pipe system can include a pipe 13 having an axis15 and a spline groove 19 formed in an exterior 17 of the pipe 13. Amajor radial surface (i.e., bottom 20) of the spline groove 19 can benot parallel to the axis 15. The major radial surface (i.e., bottom 20)can include a spline groove axial length 57. A tubular body 51 can beconfigured to receive the pipe 13 to form a pipe assembly. The tubularbody 51 can include an inner tubular body spline groove 55. A spline 21can be configured to couple the pipe 13 to the tubular body 51 in thepipe assembly. The spline groove axial length 57 can exceed a splineaxial length 39 of the spline 21 by at least about 25% and not greaterthan about 250%.

Examples of a pipe 13 can include a pipe body having an axis 15 and aspline groove 19 formed in an exterior 17 of the pipe body. The splinegroove 19 can be configured to receive a spline 21. The spline groove 19can consist of: a major radial surface (i.e., bottom 20) that is notparallel to the axis 15, and a shoulder 27, 29 on each axial end of themajor radial surface (i.e., bottom 20).

Another embodiment of a pipe 13 can include a pipe body having an axis15 and a spline groove 19 formed in an exterior 17 of the pipe body. Thespline groove 19 can be configured to receive a spline 21. A majorradial surface (i.e., bottom 20) of the spline groove 19 can be notparallel to the axis 15. In addition, the major radial surface (i.e.,bottom 20) can comprise a spline groove axial length 57 that isconfigured to exceed an axial length 39 of the spline 21 by at leastabout 25% and not greater than about 250%.

Other versions can include one or more of the following embodiments:

Embodiment 1. A pipe assembly, comprising:

a pipe body having an axis and a spline groove formed in an exterior ofthe pipe body; and

a spline mounted in the spline groove, and an entirety of the spline isconfigured to be both axially movable and radially movable relative tothe spline groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a tubularmember.

Embodiment 2. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinegroove comprises a plurality of radial depths relative to the axis.

Embodiment 3. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinegroove is located adjacent an axial end of the pipe body, the splinegroove comprises a deepest radial depth located farthest from the axialend, a shallowest radial depth located axially between the axial end andthe deepest radial depth, and the deepest radial depth is greater thanthe shallowest radial depth.

Embodiment 4. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splineis configured to comprise:

a collapsed configuration having a collapsed diameter relative to theaxis prior to formation of the pipe assembly with the tubular member;

an expanded configuration having an expanded diameter relative to theaxis during formation of the pipe assembly, and the expanded diameter isgreater than the collapsed diameter; and

another collapsed configuration having the collapsed diameter afterformation of the pipe assembly.

Embodiment 5. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein in responseto tension being applied to the pipe assembly, the spline is configuredto engage in the spline groove at a shallowest radial depth thereof.

Embodiment 6. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splineis configured to:

radially expand when it axially aligns with a second spline groove inthe tubular member; and

move axially and radially into a shallower portion of the spline groovewhen the pipe assembly is put in tension.

Embodiment 7. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinegroove has an axial length that is greater than a tubular member splinegroove axial length in the tubular member.

Embodiment 8. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinehas a radial inner surface that is not parallel to the axis.

Embodiment 9. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the radialinner surface of the spline is not parallel to the axis before, duringand after the pipe assembly is formed with the tubular member.

Embodiment 10. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the radialinner surface of the spline is an only radial inner surface of thespline, and an entire axial length of said only radial inner surface ofthe spline is co-planar with the spline groove of the pipe before,during and after the pipe assembly is formed with the tubular member.

Embodiment 11. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein an entiretyof the radial inner surface of the spline is tapered.

Embodiment 12. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein an entiretyof the radial inner surface of the spline is tapered at a single slope.

Embodiment 13. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinegroove in the pipe body consists of a tapered major surface and ashoulder on each axial end of the tapered major surface.

Embodiment 14. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein an entiretyof the tapered major surface is tapered.

Embodiment 15. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein an entiretyof the tapered major surface is tapered at a single slope.

Embodiment 16. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinehas a spline axial length that is less than a spline groove axial lengthby at least about 25% and not greater than about 250%.

Embodiment 17. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the tubularmember is one of another pipe and a coupling.

Embodiment 18. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis, an exterior, a pipe spline groove formed in theexterior, a spline mounted in the pipe spline groove, and an entirety ofthe spline is configured to be both axially movable and radially movablerelative to the pipe spline groove during formation of a pipe assembly;and

a tubular body having an interior configured to receive the pipe, thetubular body having a tubular body spline groove configured to receiveat least a portion of the spline when the pipe assembly is formed.

Embodiment 19. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein thetubular body is another pipe or a coupling.

Embodiment 20. A method of forming a pipe assembly, the methodcomprising:

(a) providing a pipe with an axis, an exterior, and a pipe spline grooveformed in the exterior;

(b) mounting a spline in the pipe spline groove;

(c) inserting the pipe into an interior of a tubular body until the pipespline groove axially aligns with a tubular body spline groove in thetubular body, such that at least a portion of the spline extends intothe tubular body spline groove; and then

(d) axially removing at least a portion of the pipe from the tubularbody such that an entirety of the spline moves both axially and radiallyrelative to the pipe spline groove.

Embodiment 21. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis, an exterior and a pipe spline groove formed inthe exterior;

a spline mounted in the pipe spline groove, the spline having a base anda tail extending from a radial outer surface of the base;

a tubular body having an interior and a tubular body spline grooveformed in the interior, wherein the tubular body is configured to form apipe assembly with the pipe; and

wherein:

the tail of the spline is configured to radially extend from the baseprior to the pipe contacting the tubular body;

the tail of the spline is configured to radially collapse toward thebase after the pipe contacts the tubular body but prior to the tailreaching the tubular body spline groove;

the tail of the spline is configured to again radially extend from thebase when the tail axially aligns with the tubular body spline groove;and

the tail of the spline is configured to again radially collapse towardthe base when tension is applied between the pipe and the tubular body.

Embodiment 22. A method of forming a pipe assembly, the methodcomprising:

(a) providing a pipe having an axis, an exterior and a pipe splinegroove formed in the exterior, and a spline mounted in the pipe splinegroove, the spline having a base and a tail extending from a radialouter surface of the base, and the tail of the spline radially extendsfrom the base prior to the pipe contacting a tubular body;

(b) inserting the pipe into the tubular body, the tubular body having aninterior and a tubular body spline groove formed in the interior, suchthat the tail of the spline radially collapses toward the base prior tothe tail reaching the tubular body spline groove;

(c) axially aligning the pipe spline groove with the tubular body splinegroove, such that the tail of the spline again radially extends from thebase; and then

(d) applying tension between the pipe and the tubular body such that thetail of the spline again radially collapses toward the base.

Embodiment 23. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis and a spline groove formed in an exterior of thepipe; and

a spline configured to be mounted in the spline groove, the spline has aradial inner surface that is not parallel to the axis, the radial innersurface of the spline is the only radial inner surface of the spline,and an entire axial length of the radial inner surface of the spline isconfigured to be co-planar with the spline groove of the pipe before,during and after the pipe is assembled to a tubular member.

Embodiment 24. A method, comprising:

(a) providing a pipe having an axis and a spline groove formed in anexterior of the pipe;

(b) mounting a spline in the spline groove, the spline having a radialinner surface that is not parallel to the axis, the radial inner surfaceof the spline is the only radial inner surface of the spline; and

(c) inserting the pipe into a tubular member such than an entire axiallength of the radial inner surface of the spline is co-planar with thespline groove of the pipe before, during and after the pipe is assembledto the tubular member.

Embodiment 25. A pipe, comprising:

a pipe body having an axis, a spline groove formed in an exterior of thepipe body, the spline groove is configured to receive a spline, and thespline groove consists of: a major radial surface that is not parallelto the axis, and a shoulder on each axial end of the major radialsurface.

Embodiment 26. A pipe, comprising:

a pipe body having an axis, a spline groove formed in an exterior of thepipe body, the spline groove is configured to receive a spline, a majorradial surface of the spline groove is not parallel to the axis, and themajor radial surface comprises a spline groove axial length that isconfigured to exceed an axial length of the spline by at least about 25%and not greater than about 250%.

Embodiment 27. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinegroove axial length is configured to exceed the axial length of thespline by at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about100%.

Embodiment 28. The pipe of any of these embodiments, wherein the splinegroove axial length is configured to exceed the axial length of thespline by not greater than about 500%, not greater than about 400%, ornot greater than about 300%.

Embodiment 29. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis and a spline groove formed in an exterior of thepipe, a major radial surface of the spline groove is not parallel to theaxis, and the major radial surface comprises a spline groove axiallength;

a tubular body configured to receive the pipe to form a pipe assembly,and the tubular body has an inner tubular body spline groove; and

a spline configured to couple the pipe to the tubular body in the pipeassembly, and the spline groove axial length exceeds a spline axiallength of the spline by at least about 25% and not greater than about250%.

Embodiment 30. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis and a spline groove formed in an exterior of thepipe; and

a retainer configured to be mounted in the retainer groove, and anentirety of the retainer is configured to be both axially movable andradially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of apipe assembly with a tubular body.

Embodiment 31. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer groove comprises a plurality of radial depths relative to theaxis.

Embodiment 32. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer groove is located adjacent an axial end of the pipe, theretainer groove comprises a deepest radial depth located farthest fromthe axial end, a shallowest radial depth located axially between theaxial end and the deepest radial depth, and the deepest radial depth isgreater than the shallowest radial depth.

Embodiment 33. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer is configured to comprise:

a collapsed configuration having a collapsed diameter relative to theaxis prior to formation of the pipe assembly with the tubular body;

an expanded configuration having an expanded diameter relative to theaxis during formation of the pipe assembly, and the expanded diameter isgreater than the collapsed diameter; and

another collapsed configuration having the collapsed diameter afterformation of the pipe assembly.

Embodiment 34. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein inresponse to tension being applied to the pipe assembly, the retainer isconfigured to engage in the retainer groove at a shallowest radial depththereof.

Embodiment 35. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer is configured to:

radially expand when it axially aligns with a second retainer groove inthe tubular body; and

move axially and radially into a shallower portion of the retainergroove when the pipe assembly is put in tension.

Embodiment 36. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein, atan initial stage of forming the pipe assembly, the retainer isconfigured to comprise:

an initial, outer collapsed radius (R₁), relative to the axis, that isgreater than or equal to a bore radius (R_(B)) of the tubular body; and

an initial, inner radius (R₂) that is less than or equal to the boreradius (R_(B)).

Embodiment 37. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein, atan intermediate stage of forming the pipe assembly, the retainer isconfigured to comprise:

an outer, expanded radius (R₃) that is greater than or equal to a boreradius (R_(B)) of the tubular body; and

an inner radius (R₄) that is less than or equal to the bore radius(R_(B)).

Embodiment 38. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein, ata final stage of forming the pipe assembly, the retainer is configuredto comprise:

a final, outer collapsed radius (R₅) that is greater than or equal to abore radius (R_(B)) of the tubular body; and

an inner radius (R₆) that is less than or equal to the bore radius(R_(B))

Embodiment 39. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer has a radial inner surface that is not parallel to the axis.

Embodiment 40. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theradial inner surface of the retainer is an only radial inner surface ofthe retainer, and an entire axial length of said only radial innersurface of the retainer is co-planar with the retainer groove of thepipe before, during and after the pipe assembly is formed with thetubular body.

Embodiment 41. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein anentirety of the radial inner surface of the retainer is tapered.

Embodiment 42. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer groove in the pipe consists of a tapered major surface and ashoulder on each axial end of the tapered major surface.

Embodiment 43. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein thetubular body is one of another pipe and a coupling.

Embodiment 44. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein anentirety of the radial inner surface of the retainer is tapered at asingle slope.

Embodiment 45. The pipe system of any of these embodiments, wherein theretainer has a retainer axial length that is less than a retainer grooveaxial length by at least about 25% and not greater than about 250%.

Embodiment 46. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis, an exterior, a pipe retainer groove formed in theexterior, a retainer configured to be mounted in the pipe retainergroove, and an entirety of the retainer is configured to be both axiallymovable and radially movable relative to the pipe retainer groove duringformation of a pipe assembly; and

a tubular body having an interior configured to receive the pipe, thetubular body having a tubular body retainer groove configured to receiveat least a portion of the retainer when the pipe assembly is formed, andthe tubular body is another pipe or a coupling.

Embodiment 47. A pipe system, comprising:

a pipe having an axis, an exterior and a pipe retainer groove formed inthe exterior;

a retainer configured to be mounted in the pipe retainer groove, theretainer having a base and a tail extending from a radial outer surfaceof the base;

a tubular body having an interior and a tubular body retainer grooveformed in the interior, wherein the tubular body is configured to form apipe assembly with the pipe; and

wherein:

the tail of the retainer is configured to radially extend from the baseprior to the pipe contacting the tubular body;

the tail of the retainer is configured to radially collapse toward thebase after the pipe contacts the tubular body but prior to the tailreaching the tubular body retainer groove;

the tail of the retainer is configured to again radially extend from thebase when the tail axially aligns with the tubular body retainer groove;and

the tail of the retainer is configured to again radially collapse towardthe base when tension is applied between the pipe and the tubular body.

Embodiment 48. A method of forming a pipe assembly, the methodcomprising:

(a) providing a pipe having an axis, an exterior and a pipe retainergroove formed in the exterior, and a retainer mounted in the piperetainer groove, the retainer having a base and a tail extending from aradial outer surface of the base, and the tail of the retainer radiallyextends from the base prior to the pipe contacting a tubular body;

(b) inserting the pipe into the tubular body, the tubular body having aninterior and a tubular body retainer groove formed in the interior, suchthat the tail of the retainer radially collapses toward the base priorto the tail reaching the tubular body retainer groove;

(c) axially aligning the pipe retainer groove with the tubular bodyretainer groove, such that the tail of the retainer again radiallyextends from the base; and then

(d) applying tension between the pipe and the tubular body such that thetail of the retainer again radially collapses toward the base.

Embodiment 49. A pipe, comprising:

a pipe having an axis, a retainer groove formed in an exterior of thepipe, the retainer groove is configured to receive a retainer, and theretainer groove consists of: a major radial surface that is not parallelto the axis, and a shoulder on each axial end of the major radialsurface, wherein the shoulders extend in radial directions and areperpendicular to the axis.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments,including the best mode, and also to enable those of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope is definedby the claims, and can include other examples that occur to thoseskilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within thescope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalentstructural elements with insubstantial differences from the literallanguages of the claims.

Note that not all of the activities described above in the generaldescription or the examples are required, that a portion of a specificactivity may not be required, and that one or more further activitiescan be performed in addition to those described. Still further, theorder in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order inwhich they are performed.

In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described withreference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in theclaims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofinvention.

It can be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document. The term “communicate,” aswell as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirectcommunication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well asderivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” isinclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well asderivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with,couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a propertyof, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at leastone of,” when used with a list of items, means that differentcombinations of one or more of the listed items can be used, and onlyone item in the list can be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B,and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, Aand C, B and C, and A and B and C.

Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements andcomponents described herein. This is done merely for convenience and togive a general sense of the scope of the invention. This descriptionshould be read to include one or at least one and the singular alsoincludes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

The description in the present application should not be read asimplying that any particular element, step, or function is an essentialor critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scopeof patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims.Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect toany of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words“means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim,followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of termssuch as (but not limited to) “mechanism,” “module,” “device,” “unit,”“component,” “element,” “member,” “apparatus,” “machine,” “system,”“processor,” or “controller” within a claim is understood and intendedto refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, asfurther modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves,and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature of any or all the claims.

After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate thatcertain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context ofseparate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be providedseparately or in any subcombination. Further, references to valuesstated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipe system comprising: a pipe having an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe near an axial end of the pipe; a tubular body having an interior and one end sized to receive the axial end of the pipe therein to form a pipe assembly; and a retainer configured to be received in the retainer groove, wherein the retainer is configured to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of the pipe assembly and to retain the pipe and the tubular body in the pipe assembly, wherein the retainer includes a base and a tail extending from a radial outer surface of the base, and wherein the tail is configured to radially extend from the base and radially collapse toward the base to permit formation of the pipe assembly when collapsed and retain the pipe assembly when extended.
 2. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein the retainer groove comprises a plurality of radial depths relative to the axis.
 3. The pipe system of claim 2, wherein the retainer groove is located adjacent or near the axial end of the pipe, wherein the retainer groove has a deepest radial depth located farthest from the axial end, a shallowest radial depth located axially between the axial end and the deepest radial depth, and wherein the deepest radial depth is greater than the shallowest radial depth.
 4. The pipe system of claim 3, wherein the retainer is reconfigurable among a collapsed configuration having a collapsed diameter relative to the axis and an expanded configuration having an expanded diameter relative to the axis, the expanded diameter is greater than the collapsed diameter.
 5. The pipe system of claim 4, wherein in response to tension being applied to the pipe assembly, the retainer is configured to engage in the retainer groove at a shallowest radial depth thereof.
 6. The pipe system of claim 4, wherein the tubular body includes a second retainer groove on the interior thereof, and wherein the retainer is configured to radially expand when axially aligned with the second retainer groove in the tubular body to move axially and radially into the shallowest radial depth of the retainer groove when the pipe assembly is under tension.
 7. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein, at an initial stage of forming the pipe assembly, the retainer is configured to have an initial, outer collapsed radius (R₁), relative to the axis, that is greater than or equal to a bore radius (R_(B)) of the interior of the tubular body, and is configured to have an initial, inner radius (R₂) that is less than or equal to the bore radius (R_(B)).
 8. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein, at an intermediate stage of forming the pipe assembly, the retainer is configured to have an outer, expanded radius (R₃) that is greater than or equal to a bore radius (R_(B)) of the interior of the tubular body, and is configured to have an inner radius (R₄) that is less than or equal to the bore radius (R_(B)).
 9. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein, at a final stage of forming the pipe assembly, the retainer is configured to have a final, outer collapsed radius (R₅) that is greater than or equal to a bore radius (R_(B)) of the tubular body, and is configured to have an inner radius (R₆) that is less than or equal to the bore radius (R_(B)).
 10. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein the retainer has a radial inner surface that is not parallel to the axis.
 11. The pipe system of claim 10, wherein the radial inner surface of the retainer is an only radial inner surface of the retainer, and an entire axial length of the only radial inner surface of the retainer is co-planar with a surface of the retainer groove of the pipe before, during and after the pipe assembly is formed with the tubular body.
 12. The pipe system of claim 10, wherein an entirety of the radial inner surface of the retainer is tapered.
 13. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein the retainer groove in the exterior of the pipe consists of an angled major surface and a shoulder on each axial end of the angled major surface.
 14. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein the tubular body is one of another pipe or a coupling.
 15. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein an entirety of a radial inner surface of the retainer is oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the pipe, and wherein an angled major surface of the retainer groove is oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the pipe and that matches the angle of the radial inner surface of the retainer.
 16. The pipe system of claim 1, wherein the retainer has a retainer axial length that is less than a retainer groove axial length by at least about 25% and not greater than about 250%.
 17. A pipe system comprising: a pipe having an axis, an exterior, and a retainer groove formed in the exterior; a retainer configured to be mounted in the retainer groove, wherein an entirety of the retainer is configured to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly; and a tubular body having an interior configured to receive the pipe to form the pipe assembly, the tubular body having a second retainer groove on the interior and configured to receive at least a portion of the retainer when the pipe assembly is formed, wherein the tubular body is another pipe or a coupling, wherein the retainer includes a base and a tail extending from a radial outer surface of the base, and wherein the tail is configured to radially extend from the base and radially collapse toward the base to permit formation of the pipe assembly when collapsed and retain the pipe assembly when extended.
 18. The pipe system of claim 17, wherein the retainer groove includes a plurality of radial depths relative to the axis, wherein the retainer groove is located adjacent an axial end of the pipe, and wherein the retainer groove includes a deepest radial depth located farthest from the axial end, a shallowest radial depth located axially between the axial end and the deepest radial depth, and the deepest radial depth is greater than the shallowest radial depth.
 19. The pipe system of claim 18, wherein in response to tension being applied to the pipe assembly, the retainer is configured to engage in the retainer groove at the shallowest radial depth.
 20. A pipe system of claim 17, wherein the tail is configured to radially extend from the base prior to the pipe contacting the tubular body to form the pipe assembly, wherein the tail is configured to radially collapse toward the base after the pipe contacts the tubular body but prior to the tail reaching the second retainer groove, wherein the tail is configured to radially extend from the base when the tail axially aligns with the second retainer groove, wherein the tail is configured to radially collapse toward the base when tension is applied between the pipe and the tubular body such that the base bears against a surface in the retainer groove and against a surface in the second retainer groove to retain the pipe and the tubular body in the pipe assembly. 